"I usually say Shellac doesn't damage nails; humans do." Gel polish is typically best removed with acetone, but CND makes a remover specifically for its Shellac formula that's designed to also hydrate the nails. Acetone is notoriously drying, which is why nail professionals recommend using a cuticle oil post-removal.
Shellac is a blend of gel and nail polish. Because it is like a polish, it can't be used to extend your nail. Because it is like a gel, however, it does add strength and durability. In the long term Shellac is much less damaging to nails than traditional Gels (or Acrylics).
A basic manicure, with the right polishes, is the healthiest for your nails. When we say the 'right polishes' we mean the best nail growth polish or breathable nail polish. The harsh chemicals in many polishes often degrade our nails. Using an organic polish that contains vitamins, is the best way to avoid damage.
One drawback to shellac, Seney points out, is that because it has traditional polish mixed in the formula, gel nails last longer. Although shellac is a little bit more susceptible to chipping than gel, both still last much longer than regular polish.
“We highly recommend using shellac polish versus your typical gel polish because they soak off easier and are less damaging to the nails during the soak-off process,” Dunne says.
Additionally, while Shellac appears to help avoid the damage to the nails caused by acrylics, SNS goes a step further, according to Vo. “SNS is positively good for nail health. The SNS dipping powder system is fortified with no less than four vitamins, plus the all-important mineral calcium.
Shellac is simply gel polish mixed with regular polish. In short, shellac has taken the best of gel (no-chips and colour) and added the benefits of traditional polish (shine and ease).
Manicures with shellac or gel nails use ultraviolet (UV) light to dry the polished nails. The issue here is that UV nail dryers expose people to UVA radiation — that is, the same harmful rays emitted by the sun, which have been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer.
Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.
“Much of the promotion in the market is that SNS is 'healthy' for your nails and better for them than, say, a gel polish system,” says Monika Carvalho, owner of The Nail Lab. “But SNS is essentially the same as acrylic and over time will damage the natural nail the same way.”
Dip Powder Manicure
For this type of manicure, each nail color comes in the form of a pigmented powder, which your nails are dipped into after being applied a clear liquid formula. It's generally stronger than gel and lasts longer.
Extra-strong formula. Dip powder is harder and more durable than gel. As such, it's a great option for those with weak nails or people who do a lot of labor with their hands. No UV lamp.
However, it is important to use caution and take breaks from gel nails to keep your natural nails healthy and minimize any potential damage. It's recommended that you give your nails at least two weeks between each gel manicure or switch up the type of manicure you get, like regular polish or dip powder.
Step 1: Give Your Nails a Break
Most nail technicians suggest giving your nails at least a week-long break every eight weeks. Shellac, gel, dip dye, and acrylics require buffing the nails beforehand, and the harsh acetone for used removal compromises the top layer of the nail.
Gel manicures definitely last longer, and if you like that plush, ultra-glossy finish, it's the way to go. However, the removal process for Shellac is much gentler on the nails, which makes switching up your colors easier to do.
Shellac was the first hybrid polish, produced by CND, and you can expect manicures to last about two weeks. Some may find that the chip-free finish lasts longer than this, but it's recommended that you get them removed after 14 days as by this time your own nail will have started to grow out.
"The biggest risk to leaving a gel manicure service on for longer than three weeks is that the extra weight can start pulling on the edge of your nail, causing tears in the base of your nails," says Reynosa. "They can then lift, which peels back keratin layers and causes more mechanical damage.
Gel nail polish contains various chemicals, and some may cause adverse effects. Research from 2018 and 2021 found that gel nail polish contains methacrylates and acrylates. These can cause skin irritation, such as hives and contact dermatitis. One common concern with gel manicures is exposure to UV rays.
This largely depends how you use it. Gel polish can be tough on the surface of your natural nails. But occasionally getting this type of nail polish applied and removed by licensed professionals isn't likely to have any long-term adverse effects on your nail health.
Gel manicures are fun and long-lasting, but they do involve exposure to UV rays by the use of nail-curing lamps. UV rays are known to cause damage to the skin that may result in premature aging as well as skin cancer. The FDA considers nail-curing lamps to be low-risk.
LED light lamps used to cure shellac emit UV rays, and extended exposure to UV rays can have potential side effects, including premature aging of the skin, age spots, and skin cancer. To protect your skin from UV rays, apply a good quality sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to your hands before getting shellac.
Although not as bad as an acrylic set of nails, gel polish has its own set of risks. Your nails still have to be “removed of all shine” (read: sanded down) for the gel polish to adhere. The chemicals in your typical gel polish also contain formaldehyde which as we know is super toxic.
SNS nails. SNS, short for Signature Nail System, is a powder dipping system. first, your nails are prepped and primed in exactly the same way that they are for acrylic application. if you want extra length, tips are glued on at this stage exactly the same as acrylics (above)
Most salons only charge a small amount for shellac removal and use high-quality products that leave your nails in tiptop condition. Most salons use acetone with a 60% concentration or more.